Electric signal.



PATENTED JULY 30, 1907. M. A. & I. H. EWING.

ELECTRIC SIGNAL. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 12, 190g.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

WITNESSES.

m: mmms PETERS cm, WASHINGTON, n. c.

No'. 861,958. PATENTED JULY 30, 1907.

M. A. & J. H. EWING.

ELECTRIC SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED ulna, 190a.

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ATTORNEYS THE NORRIS PETERS can wasnmaran, D, c

No. 861,958. PATENTED JULY 3.0, 1907. M A. & J. H. EWING.

ELECTRIC SIGNAL.

APPLICATION rum) mma, 1906.

3 SHEETS-SHEBT 3,

ATTORNEYS THE lvumfls PETERS C0,, WASHINGTON n:

MARTIN A. EWING AND JOSEPH H. EWING, OFFGALILATIN, TENNESSEE.

ELECTRIC IGNAL.

Specification of Letters Patent. I

Patented July 30, 1907.

- Application filed January 12, 1906. Serial No. 295,737.

To all wh0m it may concern:

Be it known that we, lVlARTIN A. EWING and .TosErH H. EWING, citizens of the United States, and residents of Gallatin, in the county of Sumner and State of Tennessee, have invented a new and Improved Electric Signal, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description. p

Our invention relates to signals, and more particularly to an electric apparatus suitable for block signals,

and in all relations where the movements of rolling stock or the like is controlled by, or exerts control over, appropriate alarm mechanism.

Our invention further relates to means for producing an alarm upon a movable member of rolling stock, such as a locomotive, and independently of this alarm for. producing another alarm at a station or other predeter mined point.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation showing an arm to be tripped by movements of a locomotive, or

other movable member, and also the step-by-step wheel used for temporarily holding the arm in position; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same, showing in addition the electro-magnetic mechanism and accompanying parts for automatically moving the step-by-step wheel; Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the step-by-step wheel, showing is an enlarged fragmentary section'upon the line 4-4 of Fig. 3, looking in the direction of the arrow and showing the contact lever used in apprising the'op erator that' I the signal is properly set; Fig. 6 is a'fragmentary side elevation of a locomotive equipped with an alarm device to be actuated when the lever 9 is moved by engagement with the'arm 25; and Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic section showing theelectric circuits and their relations 'to various mechanical parts;

The locomotive body is shown at 8, and mounted upon its forward end is 'a'l'ever 9 which is connected at its lower end with another lever 12 located in the loco being connected with a whistle 14. Aspring 15 is used for retracting the lever 12' and parts connected therewith to their respective normal positions. If desired, a dog may be used for holding the lever 12 in a predetermined position when displaced, so as to open l the Whistle. The valve 14 communicating with the whistle is normally closed, but is opened each time the i upper end of the lever 9 is drawn backward. The hand rail 11 is supported upon posts 16 in the usual manner. 1 The lever 9 is mounted upon a rocking shaft 9, the latter being supported upon brackets 17 as indicated in [Fig 1.

Disposed adjacent to the railway track is a platform .18 supported by a post 19. Extending upwardly from this platform is aframework 20, the platform and frame- .work being covered by a casing 21 which is removable as indicated by dotted lines in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. Revolubly supported upon bearing standards 22 is a stepby-step wheel 23 provided with holders 24 disposed radially in relation thereto, the number of these holders being preferably eight.

A trip arm 25 is loosely connected by a pivot 26 with a rocking shaft 27, the latter being mounted in bearings .28. The arm 25 is adapted to be moved laterally, that is in a horizontal plane as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2, and is also adapted to swing independently in a vertical plane as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1. This arm25 is provided with a tongue 25 to be engaged by the holders 24. Immediately below the tongue 25' is a stop 25 against which the tongue 25 is pressed by one of the holders 24 when the parts are in the position indicated in Fig. 1. The arm 25 is thus held horizontal until struck by a member carried by the rolling stock as hereinafter described. The stop 25 is rigidly mounted 3 latter being preferably of considerable size,'the number of the teeth being the same as the number of holders 24.

Disposed'within the'p'ath of the teeth 35 is a lever 36' provided with a comparatively heavy portion 36 and with a tongue 36 the heayy portion 36 tending normallyto maintain the lever in a horizontal position.

The lever is pivoted at 3'7'and by a partial rotation of the wheel 34 may be tilted by one of the teeth 35 as indicated in Fig. 3, the lever being restored to its normal position by its own weight.

A magnet 38'is mounted upon a plate 38 and is prothe drum 30 is a wheel 34 provided with teeth 35, the I vided with a core 39 and with an armature 40, the latter being pivotally mounted and provided with an aper- 2. The armature 40 is spring retracted in the usual manner and is provided with an arm 42 extending horizontally therefrom, this arm being loosely connected by means of a head 43 with a sliding rod 44. This sliding rod is provided with a roller 44 and with a notch 45. A pawl 46 is adapted to engage the notch 45 as indicated in Fig. 3. The tension of the spring 45 causes the retracting of the pawl 44 when the latter is released by the pawl 46. Rollers 46, 46 engage the rod 44 so as to reduce its friction to a minimum. The pawl 46 is journaled upon brackets 46 and is provided with an aperture 47 through which the roller 44 may pass freely as indicated in Figs. 2 and 3. The pawl 46 is provided with a downwardly projecting portion 46 which is engaged by the tongue 36 when the lever 36 occupies a horizontal position as indicated in Fig. 3.

The wheel 48 is connected rigidly with the drum 30 and is somewhat similar to the wheel 34, being provided with teeth 49. A lever 50 is mounted upon journals 51 and is adapted to be engaged by the teeth 49 when the drum 30 is turned, as may be seen from Fig. 4. Mounted between brackets 52 and supported upon a pivot 53 is a contact lever 53 shown more particularly in Fig. 4. Below and above this contact lever are contact points 54, 54. A guard 55, having preferably the form of an inverted U, is placed over the lever 50. The drum 30 and the wheel 23 connected rigidly therewith turn usually one-eighth of a revolution at a time. The arm 25 being adapted to move both horizontally and vertically as above described, tends to hang in the position indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1 unless engaged by one of the holders 24. When, however, the wheel 23 is given a partial turn (one-eighth of a revolution) one of the holders 24 presses the tongue 25 down upon the stop 25, thus giving the arm 25 a horizontal position and holding it rather firmly. While the arm 25 is in this position it partially obstructs the path of the lever 9 carried by the locomotive or other movable member, as will be understood from Fig. 1. If, now, the arm 25 be struck by the lever 9, the latter causes the locomotive whistle to bloW as above described, or it may be connected to close air brakes or set mechanical, electric or other alarm bell in motion if preferred, and the mechanical contact between the lever 9 and the arm 25 pushes the latter in a horizontal direction as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2. This horizontal movement of the arm 25 carries the tongue 25 out of engagement with one of the holders 24 heretofore securing it down, and the arm 25 being completely disengaged from the wheel now assumes the Vertical position indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1. In doing this the tongue 25* is brought within the path of the next succeeding holder 24. If, now, the wheel be turned another step the holder last mentioned will again bring the arm 25 to a horizontal position ready to be engaged by the lever 9 of another locomotive or other movable member. It will thus be seen that the wheel 23, in order to automatically set the arm 25 after each displacement thereof must move stepby-step. The means for accomplishing this movement will now be described.

Whenever the wheel 23 moves one step as above described, one tooth 35 of the wheel 34 engages the lever 36, causing the same to tilt as indicated in Fig. 4. The lever 36 next resumes its horizontal position so that a portion of its weight rests upon the lower end 46 of the pawl 46. This causes the withdrawal of the pawl 46 from the sliding rod 44, and the latter thereupon moves over the tongue 36 (now in its lowermost position),

thereby locking the lever 36 in a horizontal position as forced from between the holders 24 and the stop 25,

thus releasing the wheel 23 and its accompanying parts, and it rotates until checked by the next tooth 35 coming in contact with the lever 36. If, however, the magnet 38 be energized for purposes hereinafter described, the armature 42 swings toward the magnet, withdrawing the rod 44 so that the roller 44 clears the tongue 36". The pawl 46 now drops into the notch 45 and locks the armature 42 in its position nearest the magnet 38. The rotation of the wheel 23 by one step, however, causes the lever 36 to rise into the position indicated in Fig. 4 and to drop so that its weight rests partly upon the lower portion 46 so as to withdraw the pawl 46 from the notch 45. This unlocks the sliding rod 44 and enables the same to move into such position that the roller 44 prevents the upward movement of the tongue 36'.

The action of the parts above mentioned is quite positive, and this insures the reliability of performance. The weight 33 hangs within a tube 56, at the bottom of which is a push button 57. The latter is connected by wires 58, 60 with a bell 59. From a battery 61 a wire 62 leads to a push button 63. A wire 64 connects this push button with the magnet 38, from which a wire 65 leads to the contact point 54. push button 67- and a bell 68. A wire 69 connects the contact point 54 with the wires 60, and the bracket 52 is connected by a wire 70 with wires 74, 74 A battery 71 is connected by a wire 72, and from the latter a wire 73 leads to the push button 63. A wire 75 connects the push button 67 with the wire 64 and a wire 76 connects the bells 59 and 68 together. and 54" are severally engaged by the contact lever 53. Electrical communication therefore takes place between the lever 53 and the contact point 54 each time the lever 50 is actuated by one of the teeth 49, or in other words, each time the contact lever 53 becomes horizontal. The normal position of this lever 53 is indicated in Fig. 5. Each time it engages the contact point 54 the following circuit is completed: battery 71, wire 66, bell 68, wire 76, bell 59, wires 60 and 69, contact member 54, contact lever 53, brackets 52, wires 70, and 72 to battery 71. This rings both the bells 59 and 68 for an instant and thus apprises the operator that the wheel 23 is turned one step. He therefore knows that the arm 25 is now in proper position to give warning to a succeeding train. If it happens from any cause that the operator desires to use the alarm, or to turn the wheel 23 one step, so as to bring the arm 25 to a horizontal'position, he merely presses the button 63, thereby completing the following circuit: battery 61, wire 62, push button 63, wire 73, wires 74 and 70, contact lever 53, contact point 54, wire 65, magnet 38,

A wire 66 is connected with a The contact members 54 wire 64 to battery 61. This energizes the 38,

causing the armature 42 to swing and the rod 44 to move toward the magnet. The pawl 46 now looks the rod 44, and the wheel 23 underthe action of the Weight 33 begins to turn, for the reason that the lever 36 is for the moment tree to tilt as indicated in Fig. 4. A tooth 35 having passed, however, the lever drops back, the pawl 46 is removed from the rod 44 and is again locked by the roller 44 passing out over the tongue 36 It follows, therefore, that when the operator presses the push button 63 so as to set the arm 25, his bell 6S informs him when the arm is properly set. The gradual stepbystep rotation of the wheel 23 causes the weight 33 to descend, and unless wound up the weight will ultimately close the push button 57. This completes the following circuit: battery 71, wire 66, bell 68, wire 76, bell 59, wires and 58, circuit closer 57 wires 74, 74 and 72 back to battery 71. This causes both the bells 59 and 68 to ring continuously, thereby apprising the operator that the weight 33 has run down. He thereupon winds up the weight and the apparatus is ready for further use. i

It will be noted that the weight 33 in engaging the push button 57 causes the latter to close before the weight 33 reaches the bottom of its movement. The object of this arrangement is to enable the weight 33 to ring the bells a sufficient length of time before the weight stops descending, in order to enable the operator to rewind the weight before the apparatus becomes inactive.

When the operator desires to set the apparatus in position ready to give warning to a train he'depresses the push button 67, thereby completing the following circuit: battery 71, push button 67, wire 75, magnet 38, wire 65, lever 53, brackets 52, wires 70, 74 and 72 back to battery 71. This energizes the magnet 38, causing it to draw the armature 42, this being followed by the various automatic movements of various parts so as to set the device as above described. It will thus be observed that the device may be set from either the push button 63 or the push button 67 as desired.

The wiring shown in Fig. 6 may be so arranged that the push button 67 is located at a railway station, and the push button 63 at a smaller station, sometimes known as an officiating station, so as to be accessible to the brakemen of any passing train, whereas the main body of the mechanism may be located further along the track, say at a signal station. This arrangement is desirable, for instance, where a side track reaches the main line, and a train may attempt to take the side track under conditions where the train cannot enter, because, for instance, the track is too short. In such event the push button 63 may be closed by the brakeman at the olficiating station, or the push button 67 at the railroad station may be closed by the telegraph operator or station agent. In either case both the electric bells 68 and 59 ring as above described, notifying the operator that the arm 251s set to engage the arm 9 upon the locomotive.

We do not limit ourselves to the particular arrangement of wiring shown, our invention relating not so much to the wiring as to the mechanical structure and action of the device.

Having thus described our invention, we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1, In an apparatus of the character described, the com bination of a tubular hand rail, a rod slidably mounted therein, an alarm, mechanism connecting said alarm with said sliding rod, and a lever connected with said sliding rod and adapted to be moved when brought into engagement with an object obstructing its path.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of an arm adapted to move in different planes, means carried by a moving body for moving said arm in one of said planes, a revoluble member provided with hold ers for moving said arm in the other of said planes, and electrically-operated mechanism for moving said revoluble member stepbystep.

3. An apparatus of the character described, comprising an arm to be raised into a predetermined position, a revoluble member provided with holders adapted to move in a definite path for successively raising said arm, means for turning said revoluble member, a wheel connected with said revoluble member and provided with teeth, electrically-operated mechanism provided with a member for obstructing said path successively, and means for automatically locking said electrically-operated mechanism.

4. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of an arm to be engaged by a member upon a locomotive or other movable member, a wheel provided with holders for successively engaging said arm, and means controllable at will from a distance for turning said wheel step-by-step.

5. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of an arm to be engaged by a member upon a locomotive, or the like, a revoluble member provided with a number of holders for successively engaging said arm so as to automatically secure the same in a predetermined position, means actuated by a Weight for causing said member to turn step by step, and mechanism for controlling said revoluble member from a distance.

6, The combination of an arm to be engaged by a locomotive, or the like, a revoluble member provided with holders for successively engaging said arm so as to raise the same in a predetermined position, and mechanism controllable electrically from a distance for causing said revoluble member to turn in order to set the said arm in said predetermined position.

7'. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of an arm to be engaged by a member carried by a locomotive or the like, a revoluble member provided with holders for successively moving said arm into a predetermined position, a stop for preventing said arm from moving beyond said predetermined position, means for actuating said revoluble member, and mechanism controllable electrically from a distance for governing the motions-of said revoluble member.

8. In an apparatus of the character described, the com bination of an arm, a revoluble member provided with means for engaging said arm so as to raise the same into a predetermined position, a stop for preventing said arm from passing beyond said predetermined position, motor mechanism for turning said revoluble member, and mechanism controllable at will from a distance, for starting said motor mechanism.

9. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a pivotally mounted arm, a stop disposed adjacent thereto, a revoluble member provided with holders for successively engaging said arm, and moving the same against said step so as to lock said arm, motor mechanism for turning said revoluble member,-means for normallylocking said revoluble member, and mechanism electrically controllable at will from a distance, for starting said motor mechanism into action.

10. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a movable arm, a revoluble member provided with holders for successively moving said arm into a predetermined position, a stop for preventing said arm from moving beyond said predetermined position, a part carried by a locomotive or other traveling body for releasing said arm from between said stop and said holders, and means for stopping the descent of said holders when thus released.

11. The combination of an electric alarm, a contact member (54 connected therewith, a movable lever adapted to engage said contact member for the purpose of energizing said alarm, another contact member (54") disposed 5 adjacent to said lever and adapted to be engaged thereby When said lever moves away from said first-mentioned contact member, a magnet connected with said second-mentioned contact member and adapted to be energized when the latter is engaged by said lever, locking mechanism 10 controllable by said magnet, motor mechanism normally re strained by said locking mechanism, and means controllable by said motor mechanism for affecting movements of the rolling stock.

In testimony whereof We have signed our names to this specification in the presence 01': two subscribing Witnesses. 15

- MARTIN A. EWING. 'JOSEPH H. EWING. Witnesses DANIEL GAINns, JOHN R. I-lAnms. 

